There are lots of motorcycle races held around the world every year but there’s only one Isle of Man TT. The TT (which stands for Tourist Trophy) is a race held annually on the Isle of Man since 1907 and is so dangerous that many people think its future existence is in jeopardy.
There’s just nothing quite like the Isle of Man TT. Every other major motorcycle race is run on a closed racetrack (for example Laguna Seca in California) with wide sand trap-style run-offs in the corners to protect riders from injury when they crash or lose control of the bike. The IOM TT takes place on public roads with pubs, stone walls and residents’ homes only a few feet from 160 mph superbikes.
The race is ridiculously dangerous. Since it began, 237 riders have been killed during races or practice runs on the Isle of Man course. This video should give you an idea of just how insane it is. Watch as one rider goes off course, falls off a cliff and sends a flock of sheep scattering. AWESOME.
P.S. The TT takes place the last week of May. For the past two years, the Discovery Channel spinoff HD Theater has been showing footage of the TT. It appears that HD Theater was recently renamed Velocity HD but I assume they’re going to keep showing it in the spring.
